Russia Appoints First Consular General to the Maldives

Russia has appointed Aleksei M. Idamkin as its first-ever Consular General to the Maldives, marking a significant step in strengthening bilateral relations between the two nations.

Idamkin officially assumed his role on Monday, presenting the Consular Commission Letter to Foreign Minister Abdulla Khaleel during a ceremony at the Ministry of Foreign Affairs. Following the presentation, both officials engaged in discussions aimed at bolstering Maldives-Russia relations, particularly in the areas of economic cooperation and tourism.

Congratulating Idamkin in a post on X, Minister Khaleel emphasized the importance of the new Consular General’s role in enhancing economic partnerships. Russia continues to be a vital tourism market for the Maldives, ranking as the second-largest source of visitors.

As of December 16, the Maldives recorded 216,092 tourist arrivals from Russia, contributing to 11% of the country’s total tourist arrivals this year.

The appointment of Idamkin is seen as a crucial move to further strengthen diplomatic and economic ties, as both countries work toward advancing shared goals.